[Object] In a configuration in which an image of a target is captured using a plurality of imaging elements, the plurality of imaging elements can be efficiently disposed in a limited space.[Solving Means] A branching optical system includes: a first branching optical system that separates first light belonging to a predetermined wavelength band from incident light in a first direction that is a surface direction of a plane including an optical axis corresponding to a normal direction of an incidence surface on which the incident light is incident; and a second branching optical system that is provided subsequent to the first branching optical system and separates, from second light after the first light is separated from the incident light, third light that is a part of the second light, in a second direction crossing the plane.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A branching optical system, comprising: a first branching optical system that separates first light belonging to a predetermined wavelength band from incident light in a first direction that is a surface direction of a plane including an optical axis corresponding to a normal direction of an incidence surface on which the incident light is incident; and a second branching optical system that is provided subsequent to the first branching optical system and separates, from second light after the first light is separated from the incident light, third light that is a part of the second light, in a second direction crossing the plane, wherein the first branching optical system and the second branching optical system satisfy conditions of refractive index Nd≥1.90 and Abbe number νd≥30.0.
2. The branching optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the second branching optical system separates, from fourth light after the third light is separated from the second light, fifth light that is a part of the fourth light, in a third direction crossing the plane and different from the second direction.
3. The branching optical system according to claim 2 , wherein each of the second direction and the third direction is a surface direction of a second plane whose normal direction is different from the normal direction of the plane.
4. The branching optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the second direction is a direction approximately perpendicular to each of the optical axis and the first direction.
5. The branching optical system according to claim 1 , wherein an air gap is provided between an emission surface of the first branching optical system, from which the second light is emitted, and an incidence surface of the second branching optical system.
6. The branching optical system according to claim 5 , wherein after being separated from the second light, the third light is reflected on an incidence surface of the second branching optical system and emitted to outside of the second branching optical system.
7. The branching optical system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a first filter that is disposed so as to be interposed between the first branching optical system and the second branching optical system and blocks light belonging to the predetermined wavelength band.
8. The branching optical system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second filter that is disposed before the first branching optical system and blocks light belonging to a first wavelength band, wherein the first light is light belonging to a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band among light components transmitted through the second filter.
9. The branching optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the first branching optical system has a dichroic film that separates the first light from the incident light.
10. The branching optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the second branching optical system has a dichroic film that separates light belonging to another wavelength band, which is different from the predetermined wavelength band, from at least a part of the second light.
11. The branching optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the second branching optical system has a half mirror that branches at least a part of an optical path of the second light into a plurality of optical paths.
12. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a first branching optical system that separates first light belonging to a predetermined wavelength band from incident light in a first direction that is a surface direction of a plane including an optical axis corresponding to a normal direction of an incidence surface on which the incident light is incident; a second branching optical system that is provided subsequent to the first branching optical system and separates, from second light after the first light is separated from the incident light, third light that is a part of the second light, in a second direction crossing the plane; a first imaging element which is provided subsequent to the first branching optical system and on which the first light is focused; and a second imaging element which is provided subsequent to the second branching optical system and on which at least a part of the third light is focused, wherein an optical distance between an incidence surface of the first branching optical system and at least one of the first and second imaging elements satisfies flange back length conditions defined by a predetermined mount standard.
13. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein some of a plurality of imaging elements on which a plurality of light components separated by the second branching optical system is focused are disposed at positions shifted by ½ pixel in both horizontal and vertical directions, in which pixels are arranged, relative to the other imaging elements of the plurality of imaging elements with the optical axis as a reference.
14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the predetermined mount standard is a C mount, and the optical distance is 17.526 mm or less.
15. An imaging system, comprising: an optical system; and an imaging apparatus that captures an image acquired by the optical system, wherein the imaging apparatus includes: a first branching optical system that separates first light belonging to a predetermined wavelength band from incident light in a first direction that is a surface direction of a plane including an optical axis corresponding to a normal direction of an incidence surface on which the incident light is incident; a second branching optical system that is provided subsequent to the first branching optical system and separates, from second light after the first light is separated from the incident light, third light that is a part of the second light, in a second direction crossing the plane; a first imaging element which is provided subsequent to the first branching optical system and on which the first light is focused; and a second imaging element which is provided subsequent to the second branching optical system and on which at least a part of the third light is focused, wherein an optical distance between an incidence surface of the first branching optical system and at least one of the first and second imaging elements satisfies flange back length conditions defined by a predetermined mount standard.
16. The imaging system according to claim 15 , wherein an endoscope including a lens barrel inserted into a body cavity of a subject is provided as the optical system.
17. The imaging system according to claim 15 , wherein a microscope that acquires an enlarged image of an imaging target is provided as the optical system.
18. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising: a third imaging element which is provided subsequent to the second branching optical system and on which at least a part of fourth light after the third light is separated from the second light is focused.
19. The imaging system according to claim 15 , wherein the imaging apparatus further includes a third imaging element which is provided subsequent to the second branching optical system and on which at least a part of fourth light after the third light is separated from the second light is focused.
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October 17, 2017
September 29, 2020
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